Ambition May Breed Success, But Not Happiness

It can be both, according to new research that finds that ambitious people don’t necessarily lead more successful lives.

“If ambition has its positive effects, and in terms of career success it certainly seems that it does, our study also suggests that it carries with it some cost,” said Dr. Timothy Judge, professor of management at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

“Despite their many accomplishments, ambitious people are only slightly happier than their less-ambitious counterparts, and they actually live somewhat shorter lives,” he said.